It's a Seasonal Thing

Indie Teen Wolf Account | Multi-Verse / Multi-Fandom | Author is +21 | Tracking:abominablexstilinski Skype: yeollie21 Kik: afflictedbard

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

Derek perked up as Bucky took to the news that there were no mission directives easily. He was sure that it would throw the man into a tailspin but he was proud that the man held himself together well. Part of him wanted to laugh at the light of surprise in Stiles’ gaze— the other hadn’t expected it at all.

He was thrumming with the idea that he might be able to go out with Bucky into the world, practically vibrating in his skin. He knew his gaze was hopeful as Stiles met his eyes. The spark of hope was crushed as Stiles spoke, pointing out details Derek himself should have thought about. Of course there were people out there still looking for Bucky, people that would recognize the one they only knew as a terrorist. He should have thought of how Bucky would react to a large number of people. 

"I think… I think he’s right," he murmured though his tone was a touch petulant because he wanted to take Bucky out too. The man deserved some sense of normalcy after everything the other had been put through. Still, he had to see the logical side of things. It’s why he and Stiles made such perfect partners— Derek was all emotion while Stiles evened him out with logic, and vice versa.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

The smile fell as Bucky nodded and moved to pull the coat over his shoulders more. He glanced around at the faces around them before moving towards the cot. “I understand, sir.” He whispered. He licked his lips and leaned against the glass looking away from them. “I’m tired.” He looked back at them wanting to just fall asleep. Being denied freedom, while part of him understood, the other side was just wanting to get out and enjoy finally being free. 

Bucky Barnes disappeared into the depression of his mind causing a more innocent part of him to come out. The side that Hydra abused the most because all he wanted to do was please his handlers. He curled up with his back to them and sniffled. “Can I have another room? I don’t like this one. I can see the Soldier…” Something bad was going to happen when the Soldier appeared. Someone was going to get hurt. 

[abominablexstilinski]

Barnes addressing him as sir barely had Stiles barely forcing back a wince. There had been some progress but it seemed like his denial of Barnes' freedom had been a small set back. While that wasn't what he wanted Stiles still stood by what he stated. There was no safe was for Barnes to leave the safety of the compound yet. They had to give it time, for those looking for Barnes to lose the trail or give up and for those who remembered him to forget.

"We'll let you go out with Rogers and Derek as soon as it's safe. You have my word," Stiles promised while glancing at the two mentioned men. While he knew that Barnes was still dangerous in his current state he did want the man to have his freedom-- he deserved it after all they'd put him him through, all he had put him through. 

The other's words had him taking pause, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "This is the only safe room we have for you," Stiles stated softly, glancing over to Derek and back to Barnes, "Derek is more than happy to stay with you if that's okay with you... You remember how he always used to comfort you? He always kept the bad men away didn't he? Will you let him do that again?"

[abominablexstilinski]

Break Me Down || Stiles & Bucky

Since rescuing Barnes it felt like Stiles was hanging by a thread, a thread that slowly kept bending under the weight of everything until it was near snapping. Explaining to Rogers the process Barnes had gone through was like opening his closet full of skeletons, awakening one ghost at a time. The more questions Rogers asked the more weight was put on the thread, the more ghost were awoken.

It was easier not to think about it while he was awake. Stiles could disassociate himself with the process, not think about how the only reason he knew what Barnes went through was because he himself had been on both sides of the equation. He could explain how the serum felt like ice water being injected into warm tissue only for the coldness to be replaced by an unbearable heat akin only to hell only because he'd been the first to go through it-- well the first after Shmidt. He could talk about both the process and results of wiping someone's memory and trying to get it back because he'd been there to do it and to receive it, to forget everything he'd ever known about himself and having to learn from scratch.

It was when he went to sleep that the defenses he'd built up-- to differentiate between the him of now and the him of then-- came crashing down as though they'd never existed. His mind was like a sieve, making sure only to collect the memories with the most impact. Unfortunately those memories were those that pained him the most. He couldn't fight them in his sleep, it was like he was back strapped to that table with needles sliding into his skin as he screamed.

"Stoppen! Stoppen! Es tut weh!"

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

"We aren’t sure Bucky, that depends entirely on you," he informed the male in his arms, looking at Stiles for confirmation that his answer was good enough.

Derek wasn’t expecting Bucky to move away from him anytime soon so he was shocked when he other started to do so of his own accord. He resisted for a moment, his hands tightening  before reluctantly falling back to his sides. He wanted to protest immediately when Bucky asked what his mission was but at the same time his question was a telling sign. The man was still operating as the soldier he’d been trained to be while in Hydra. 

When Bucky asked for a sweater Derek found himself automatically shrugging out of his own jacket while walking toward the other.

"Here you can borrow mine," he murmured softly before reaching out to drape the warm leather over Bucky’s broad shoulders.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Bucky took the jacket and slipped it over his shoulders. He then looked over at Stiles when said that there was no mission. A large grin came across his features. “Then I’d like to request a leave. If I have no mission and am unarmed with a handler or two present then I should be able to see the outside.” He really wanted to go to a diner, the one he and Steve went to. 

There were just bits and pieces of Bucky Barnes returning. He had seen the man, learned about him. Hell, even some memories were coming. He  was going to hunt down every member of Hydra and avenge himself and those that had gone through the same thing with him. 

He just needed to get out of this place first. 

"I wanna talk to Steve about my memories." He glanced at his friend and smiled again. 

[abominablexstilinski]

Of all the reactions Stiles had predicted-- shock, panic, and anger to name a few-- a smile on Barnes face wasn't anywhere in the list. It threw him off kilter for a moment, leaving him staring at Barnes blankly for a few moments as Derek draped his jacket over the other's shoulders. His gaze shifted them to look both at Derek and Rogers as he contemplated the request.

"I don't believe that would be advisable at this time," he moved to look into Barnes' eyes once more, speaking directly to the man, "There are still too many variables at the moment. We'll start small, introduce you to people in stages before letting you out into a large group. There's also the fact that there are still members of Hydra out there looking for you. We can't take the chance of you being captured again. People will recognize you Barnes... from your recent exploits. You're more than welcome to speak to Rogers, however, if that is what you wish."

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

Sydney spent the rest of the afternoon seriously debating sending the kid back.

She should just trade him in for a more submissive, dutiful model. Significantly less fun, but would at least let her feed off them without complaint. She liked a little spark in her partners, sexual or companion-wise, but Stiles was being damn near ungrateful! He could have it a lot worse than her. She was a lot better to him than she was to other people.

Maybe she should just send him back if he was so apparently miserable here.

[abominablexstilinski]

With a sigh Stiles put his phone back in his pocket and wandered back up the stairs. He paused briefly by Sydney's door, wondering if he should knock or not, but then decided he should probably take Derek's advice-- the guy had been around her longer than him.

Continuing to his room he sat at the desk and opened his laptop. The rest of the afternoon was spent doing what he did best-- researching. His fingers were nearly cramping and he typed away at the keyboard and clicked on link after link as he tried to learn all he could about vampires and their behaviors. He believed Derek and Sydney when they said he could have always ended up with someone worse. He was determined not to let that happen. Besides he doubted it would be good for his dad if he was taken back. He had that to think about-- anything he went through was secondary.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

The lines around Stiles’ eyes were telling of how difficult the present situation was for the other. Derek was relieved that it was mostly resolved at this point as he realized Stiles needed a break. Most of his attention, however, was focused on the man in his arms. His hands tenderly ran soothing lines up and down Bucky’s back as he tried to get the other to calm down, or as calm as the other could get in this situation.

"Really Bucky, we’re telling the truth… We’ve been looking for you for a long time. We want to help you get better. We just had to make sure you wanted it for the right reasons. Do you believe me?" Derek asked as he leaned back, gently cupping the other’s face and raising his brows inquiringly.

He tensed as Stiles started speaking again but he soon relaxed when he realized the other was talking about treatment methods. While he agreed with much of what Stiles was saying there were some which he disagreed with, options that he believed were more detrimental than anything.

"I’ll be with you the whole time, I promise. Nothing bad it going to happen to you again," he tilted his head to the side, "And Steve wouldn’t let anything happen to you either would he?"

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

He listened to the words before looking around at his new home. “How long will I have to stay here?” He questioned moving away from Derek to stand in front of Stiles. “I-what is my mission?” He questioned looking between his two handlers. 

He had always been given missions and objectives to follow. Bucky stared at the ground once again swallowing hard. He glanced over his shoulder at Steve and gave him a small smile. He felt warm when it was returned. 

Maybe he would have a chance to be the man he was before he fell from the train. “Is there anyway I can get a sweater or something? It’s cold in here.” 

[abominablexstilinski]

It was a small surprise when Barnes seemed to take the news of his new lodgings so well, even more so when the man walked over to stand before Stiles. But the other's next words spoke of the reason. It only made sense that Barnes would come to Stiles for his 'mission' parameters.

His gaze found Derek's before he forced himself to meet Barnes' gaze. "And if I told you there was no mission?" It was risky considering how the other had been trained, to focus only on his mission. Without a mission it was like handing a child a loaded gun-- dangerous and unpredictable. But Stiles wanted to see how the other would react to not having a sole focus.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

Derek knew Stiles was relentless, he’d seen it in action in several of their missions but he rarely ever saw him this way with Bucky. Those were times he’d rather never relive but he was being forced to at the moment. He wanted Bucky to answer so they could know the truth but also just so all this would end and he could shove it in the corner of things he tried to never think about.

"Just answer the question Bucky. I’m right here. I promise you I won’t let him do anything."

The Russian slipping into Stiles’ threat had a warning growl slipping out, both against the renewed taunt but also that Stiles was getting in too deep. It was a relief when Bucky finally answered and slipped from Stiles’ grip. Glancing up he gave Stiles a quick nod even as his arms were wrapping around the traumatized man with a soothing rumble in his chest.

"That’s good Bucky, that’s very good," Derek whispered in his ear with a small smile, "You’re absolutely right. That’s who you are and no one,” his eyes met Stiles at that, “Will take that away from you.”

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

The tone of Stiles voice made him sob even more. He knew that voice and he knew what came after it. rods, training. How to shoot someone from a distance, how to properly hold a knife so he would be able still fight. He thought he was done with all that. 

The soothing rumble calmed him and he leaned into the chest even more. whimpered at the nod that Derek gave and knew what it was there for. He knew that the wolf was a lie detector and Stiles would use that to his advantage. He swallowed looking up at him. “Really?” He looked over at Stiles at that. Stiles wouldn’t take anything away from him? He wanted his memories to stay. He wanted to get better. 

No longer did he want to be a weapon. He wanted to help people, like Steve. He knew that it would be a long and rather bumpy road but he knew what would be waiting for him. “I want to get better. I want to keep my memories.” He didn’t want to be alone. 

[abominablexstilinski]

He sighed as Derek held Barnes in his arms, soothing the other with not only his touch but the very sound of him. It was something only Derek was ever able to do, not only to comfort the other but to get him to cooperate. Taking several deep breaths as his eyes slipped close Stiles pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt a headache forming behind his eyes.

"Yeah it's the truth Barnes," Stiles murmured, unable to meet the vulnerable glance of the other. It was too much, too much to bear and too much like old times. He could feel the pressure of all three gazes on him and they were like weights on him-- he needed to get out of here and soon.

Taking a deep breath he stood up straighter. "You'll be kept in this room until you're deemed secure. Recovering your memories is not something that can be altered in any way so you must do it naturally. There will be occurrences you remember which will be taxing and may cause you to regress. We can't afford to have you roaming about freely. If you act violently you may be restrained to reduce injury to yourself and others. At times you may be medicated. Derek will assist you if necessary and Rogers will also be available. I will interfere only when necessary. Do you agree to these terms?"

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

The one-worded order in both his and Bucky’s direction had Derek tensing as his hands clenched into fists. He wanted nothing more than to go over there and force Stiles away from the other. At the same time he was telling himself to trust Stiles but it was difficult when Bucky sounded so desperate, when the other was begging for him t rescue him like old times.

His arm shot out and Steve tried to move past him. “Wait,” he whispered, clenching his eyes shut. He was there now and he hoped that was enough for Bucky even though he sincerely doubted it. “Answer the question Bucky, please,” Derek found himself pleading in return, “And tell the truth, you have to tell the truth.” Stiles would be depending on Derek to tell him if Bucky was lying and he couldn’t lie to Stiles about this, not when there was so much riding on it.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Bucky let out a yelp as he felt nails biting into the back of his neck. He bowed his head and sobbed before looking back up at Derek. “I can’t. I can’t or he’ll wipe me again. I don’t want to lose them.” He shivered looking down at the ground trying desperately to make up his mind. He kept himself bent nearly in half. He looked back up at himself and wetted his lips. 

"Please…" He whimpered before taking in a deep breath as Derek begged him to cooperate. He looked up at Stiles with a growl. "I’m a human being, not a weapon!" He answered before breaking from Stiles and moving towards Derek. He pressed his face against Derek’s shoulder, his entire body shaking. "I’m not a weapon…I’m James Buchanan Barnes…I’m James Buchanan Barnes." He whimpered. 

[abominablexstilinski]

Stiles was a patient person despite what people thought about him. He could do this for hours, has done this for hours, without a problem. While he admired Barnes' tenacity in the beginning right now it was a hindrance and an annoyance. And judging from the looks he was receiving from both Derek and Rogers it was also a danger to his health if this dragged out for too much longer.

"The more you resist giving me an answer mal'chik the more you are making that a reality," Stiles murmured despite Derek's earlier warnings-- he needed their answer.

As soon as Barnes answered his question he loosened his grip, watching as the other moved quickly toward Derek. His gaze rose to Derek's with a raise of his brows, asking if Barnes was indeed telling the truth about why he didn't want his memories wiped again.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

His breath hitched as Bucky swung at Stiles, his body jerking to the side to make for the door in case he needed to intervene. The breath caught in his throat was released in a harsh exhale as Stiles barely dodged the swing. “Be careful damn it,” Derek growled even though he knew Stiles couldn’t hear him. 

A small part of his was filled with hope when he heard Bucky declare he was no longer going to be Stiles’ puppet— that’s what they wanted. But that hope was dashed when he noticed the lack of expression in the other’s face and the even tone of his voice. While he was rebelling he was reverting back. While it was little progress Derek told himself a little was better than none.

The metal arm coming for the window had Derek taking a step back, moving so he was standing in front of Steve even though he knew the other could take care of himself. The glass has been made just for this type of treatment but it had obviously never been tested before. But the swings were only temporary.

The moment his name left Bucky’s lips he was back up against the glass, his hand pressing against the glass. “I’m here Bucky, you know I’m here,” he whispered to the glass as he trembled with the need to go to that pleading voice. The look in Stiles’ eyes as the other came up behind Bucky was all he needed to know it was too soon, that his interference wouldn’t be tolerated at that point— he hated when Stiles was like this. 

Stiles’ threat was the breaking point, knowing what that would do Bucky even if the man was in his right mind. He was at the door in seconds, the sound echoing in the room as it slammed open. “That’s enough Stiles!” Derek snarled, his eyes flashing as a warning to the other, “That’s too far!”

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

The hand at the back of his neck made his shoulders tense. The words that were hissed made his heart drop into his stomach as ice spread through his limbs. “Please…please don’t. They’re mine. They’re mine.” He begged curling away from him. “Mine. They’re mine.” His fingers curled into the fabric of his pants as he curled in on himself. He looked over his shoulder as he heard Derek come through the door. Hope shined in his eyes. 

"Derek! Derek, don’t let him! Please don’t let him!" He begged trying to move towards the wolf. Derek had always been his protector, his only comfort during their time at HYDRA. He reached for him, anything to get away from Stiles. 

"He’s going to take them away! Don’t let him! Please Derek!" He was trying so hard to remember things. He had remembered Steve. His friend. Punk. The tears welled and fell from them as he turned to look out at those on the other side. He knew that Steve was there. "C-Cuz, I’m with ya till the end of the line, pal." He parroted back the words he spoke all those years ago. His memory was slowly returning and he didn’t want Stiles to take it from him again.

[abominablexstilinski]

His fingers tightened against the back of Barnes' neck as soon as the door opened, narrowed eyes cutting toward the entrance and focusing on Derek. "Stop," he told Barnes, his hand tightening on further on the other's neck as he made to move toward Derek.

He was pissed that Derek interfered when he explicitly told the other to stay out of it until he was needed. Derek was acting as though he was being ruthless without a purpose but he needed to hear Barnes say it, needed to hear the reason why Barnes wasn't his puppet and why he didn't want his memories removed. It would probably be the best route but Derek and Rogers have been completely against it so Stiles was working with the options left to him. Neither of the two understood just what Stiles had done to himself and Barnes while they were 'training' at Hydra-- intimidation and threats were the only tactics that worked.

"Answer me and I'll let you go to him," Stiles all but growled, his nails biting into the other's skin as he stared down Derek.

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Winter's Come (Closed)

[ashesofhale]

The idea to tranq Bucky from a distance had been a genius idea on Stiles’ part though Derek had no intention of telling the other that— Stiles’ ego was big enough at it was some days. The position they were in now as they watched Bucky move from side to side in the small holding cell was just as much torture as not knowing where the man was. Bucky was so close but so far away at the same time. All he wanted to do was rush in there and hold the other like he used to back when they were all prisoners of Hydra. But Stiles had forbid him from doing so, at least not yet. Not until they knew how much of a danger Bucky was with the memory wipe starting to fade slightly.

The look Sitles’ shot in his direction before moving into the holding cell only prompted a nod from him. Derek knew he was expected to keep himself and Steve in check regardless of what happened in the holding cell— he’d agreed but made his own stipulation that he was allowed to interfere if it seemed Stiles was in danger.

Moving closer to the one-way glass Derek braced his hands on the small ledge there, his gaze riveted to the two men in the small white room. Stiles had turned on intercom earlier to listen for anything informative Bucky might say. He couldn’t help but wince as soon as Bucky recognized Stiles, knowing it would cause Stiles some discomfort as well even if the other would never show it. His grip on the ledge tightened, cracking under the pressure, as the begging started and Stiles adopted the tone he’d used with Bucky back during the man’s ‘training’.

"Don’t," Derek growled as Steve stepped forward but he didn’t take his gaze off the scene before him, the uncomfortable angle of Bucky’s neck and Stiles’ stiff posture, as Stiles asked Bucky what he knew, "We need to know if… if he can be saved or if he has to be stopped. This is the only way."

[thewintxrghost-deactivated20160]

Bucky looked up when the door opened and the man from his nightmares walked through. He grit his teeth and ignored the name that passed his lips. It wasn’t until he felt the hand gripping his hair that his eyes opened into a glare as he raised his metal arm to try and knock Stiles off him. Gone were the fearful, yet emotion filled eyes. In their place were cold, calculating, and hateful. He growled something at them in Russian as he stood. This wasn’t Bucky Barnes that they were dealing with, this was The Winter Soldier. 

"I will no longer be your puppet." He turned to the one sided glass and the gears whirling in his metal could be heard as he began trying to punch through the reinforced glass. 

However, as he continued punching through the glass, the once controlled swings became frantic. “I won’t let you take it away again! I won’t! It’s mine! You don’t have a right to take it!” He cried out as a sob broke from him. “Derek…Derek please, don’t let him take it away…” He slid to the ground again, his knees hitting the floor with a dull thud as he pressed his forehead against the glass, his shoulders shaking. “Please…” 

[abominablexstilinski]

With a barely repressed curse Stiles released his grip and dropped to a crouch to avoid the swing of Barnes' arm, feeling the breeze of the movement ruffling his hair. He stood to meet the other's gaze though the other still towered above him slightly. "Why?" Stiles questioned evenly, for once not trying to feed the other answers, "Why won't you be my puppet anymore 107JBB?"

He crossed his arm over his chest as Barnes stalked over to the one-way glass. They'd specially created this room specifically to hold the other man so he knew there was no way the other would get through it. Even on the small chance he did that was one of the other reason's Derek was on the other side of the glass.

Taking a deep breath as the other started begging for Derek, for the man who used to comfort him, Stiles once more walked toward the other man. He stopped behind Barnes, resting his hand on the wall by the kneeling man he muttered as he looked through the glass, "Derek can't help you now. There's no sense calling for him when you know he won't come. It's just you and me." Moving his other hand to the back of Barnes' neck he demanded, "Now tell me why or I swear to God I will remove everything and put you back in cryo."

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

"Well that’s not gonna happen." Derek told Stiles candidly, because he knew Sydney well enough to know that she never did anything to benefit anyone but herself. "But, that’s something you’ll have to work out with her. That’s between you two." He added in parting as he went back upstairs to finish reading in his and Eden’s room.

[abominablexstilinski]

"Yeah I've kinda gotten that impression... Maybe I'll just gag myself... That'd probably work better," he muttered with a soft laugh. Raising his hand he gave Derek a small wave as the other departed, glancing around the kitchen before pulling out his cell phone and calling his dad.

"Hey dad... Yeah things are going great!" Stiles told his dad, barely managing not to wince, "No, they're all being really nice to me so don't worry okay? I'll be home before you know it... Sydney, yeah she's the one who picked me, said I could come visit sometime. Yeah she's super nice dad. Jeez stop worrying so much. You know it's not good for your blood pressure... Well I'm gonna head to bed so try not to stay up too late and make sure to eat healthy! Yeah I love you too dad... Bye." Hanging up his phone he stared down at it before burying his face in his hands and sighing. "C'mon, just shut up and get with the program Stilinski."

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

"I owed her." After his family had died, and Laura was gone too, Derek had been on a path to destruction no man could stop him from. He was angry at everything, reckless, and stupid. He seemed hell bent on burning up, metaphorically, like his family had like it could some how make it better.

Then Eden came. And with her guidance he suddenly had a path that was destruction anymore.

"I understand for someone like you, that this isn’t what you want. And I get the circumstances weren’t good either. But she is right that there are worse places to be. There are worse people than Sydney out there, if you can believe it." He sipped his water. "I won’t tell you what to do. I’m here because I want to be. I love Eden. But if you hate it here so much go somewhere else. You still have rights. She can’t make you stay here.”

[abominablexstilinski]

Stiles tilted his head to the in curiosity but he felt like he was prying too much into a guy's life that he'd just met. While that normally didn't stop him he was grateful to Derek for even taking the time to talk to him. "I guess that makes sense then..."

Sighing softly he set his bottle of water on the counter and pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. "I know that," he snapped slightly, wincing at his own tone, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes, "I don't hate it here, not really... Sydney lets me have some freedoms I just wish she would stop making it seem like it's a honor to be here... That she'd actually listen to me and maybe... I don't know, work with me. I've never done this before," he practically whined, slumping against the counter.

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

"Why’d you sign up then?" Derek asked as he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and opened it. He listened quietly to his explanation, surprised she only went for his wrist, but doesn’t show it or say anything. When asked how he came to be a companion he answered, "I didn’t go through the program. I volunteered to be Eden’s."

[abominablexstilinski]

Ducking in behind Derek he grabbed a bottle of water too though he'd give anything for an energy drink right about then. He twisted the cap back and forth on the bottle as he contemplated how to answer. "If I signed up for the program the bill collectors would forgive my father's debt as long as I stayed in the program for at least a year... Otherwise they were going to take everything and my dad could have gone to jail." Taking a sip from the water his eyes widened as he looked up at Derek. "Can I ask why?"

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

"Well, have you been ungrateful?" Derek asked as they head down the stairs and to the kitchen. "I get this maybe isn’t ideal for you, but there are worse places to be.”

[abominablexstilinski]

Stiles shrugs a little. "Probably... A little more than a little," he states with a touch of guilt in his tone, "This isn't exactly what I wanted. And nothing against vampires but blood isn't really my thing. I... I almost threw up the first time she... you know," he gestured vaguely toward his wrist as they made it down the stair and headed toward the kitchen. "Was it you decision to be a companion?" Stiles asked, unsure if it was insensitive to ask or not.

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

"If she didn’t want you you’d be gone." He didn’t mean to sound cruel, or make it seem like she’d kill him, but he’s seen her throw away things that meant more or were worth more than this scrawny kid. No offense.

"I was gonna get something to drink when I heard the commotion. You wanna?"

[abominablexstilinski]

"She said I was grateful she wasn't sending me back so she's already thinking about it... It's only a matter of time," he murmurs regretfully though resigned.

Stiles gave the other a forced smile as he nodded, "Sure... Maybe you can tell me more about living here?"

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you." Derek told Stiles as he came closer and looked down at the other. "The rooms are mostly sound proof, not sense proof. You’re just gonna make her mad." He’d never say it to her face, but he thought Sydney acted like a child most days.

"Come on, leave her alone." He reached out his hand to the other to help him up. "I’m Derek, by the way. Eden’s companion."

[abominablexstilinski]

He glanced up as Derek spoke while coming to a stop before him. What the other was saying made sense. "It seems that's all I'm good at," Stiles said with a rueful quirk of his lips, heaving a silent sigh, "I just... wish I knew what to do." His gaze moved between Derek's hand and his eyes before hesitantly excepting the other's aid and was quickly pulled to his feet. "I'm Stiles... I guess I'm Sydney's companion? If she still wants to keep me."

[nottobecrossed]

The Old Ball and Chain

[nottobecrossed]

Sydney stopped when Stiles grabbed a hold of her, begging her to not send him back, a quick change. But she only really stopped long enough to pull her hand free and send him tumbling to the floor. “Don’t touch me!”

"Hey!" Sydney looked up, eyes sharp and bright as copper, as she looked down the hall to her maker’s room where her companion is standing. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Go back to what you were doing Derek. This doesn’t concern you."

"Like hell it does," the older, well…older than Stiles, argued as he came to ‘rescue’ the other. "Eden told you to talk to him. Not toss him around."

"He fell!” Sydney argued, confused and angry as to how this was suddenly her fault. “And he started!” She gave an exasperated sigh and held her hands up in the air. “I’m-I’m done. Do what you want with him.” She told the grumpy faced companion as she went to her own room and slammed the door, locking it.

[abominablexstilinski]

While he should have expected it, especially after Sydney had more than made her opinion of humans known, the harsh jerk of her wrist from his grasp and her sharp words had him flinching backward. Losing his balance he let out a small cry as his ass met the floor. "Sorry I... Sorry," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment as he glanced away to the side.

The other male voice in the hallway had him looking up, confused as to who the older looking male was and why he was coming to Stiles' defense. He opened his mouth to say something when Sydney put her hands up and declared herself done, his heart nearly skipping a beat hoping she didn't mean she was entirely done with him as her companion.

He was surprised when other male, Derek as Sydney called him, came to a stop before him. "It really was my fault so don't blame her," Stiles told Derek, "I shouldn't have talked back or tried to touch her and I'm clumsy on a normal day so really me tripping over thin air shouldn't be that surprising or anything so please don't be mad at her," he spoke quickly, as he scrambled to his feet. "Thanks for, you know, sticking up for me but I gotta," he pointed down the hallway before rushing passed Derek and in the direction of Sydney's room.

Stiles raised his hand to knock but he hesitated before dropping it back to his side with a resigned sigh. He doubted she really wanted to see him after all that if at all ever again. Turning he pressed his back to the door and slid down to sit on the floor before pulling his knees to his chest. He'd talk to her when she was ready.

[vampirecrack-moved]

"Bruschetta sounds delicious. Now you’re making me second guess which plate I want. It’s definitely a pasta night." Sookie could have been drooling over the menu with how good everything looked. Even things that she never had an appetite for before. "Oh, yeah, we should do that." She grinned at the lovely idea. A mix of everything was better than just settling for one thing.

[abominablexstilinski]

"Dude you can totally get whatever you want. Remember, it's on me," Stiles offered with a grin, flicking her menu. He was honestly up for anything at this point, his stomach metaphorically on the verge of eating itself out of hunger since he'd skipped breakfast for lacrosse practice. "What were you thinking of getting? Seriously, hit me with anything," he quickly held his hands up, "Not literally of course! I'll get plenty of that later!"